“It is still on the table for a decision. The same goes for the powertrain.”

Regardless of the car’s layout, its development is likely to receive input from Infiniti’s Formula One partner Red Bull Racing, making the use of an F1-style V6 hybrid powerplant possible – further reinforcing the Japanese brand’s connection to the motorsport.

Despite Infiniti’s current range expansion focussing on more traditional body styles – it recently launched the Q50 midsize sedan and is rumoured to be planning a Nissan Juke-based crossover to be revealed at Frankfurt next month – a supercar is not a new idea for the marque.

In 2009, as part of the carmaker’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Infiniti debuted the Essence concept (pictured top), a 442kW front-engined hybrid, and last year it unveiled the 300kW mid-engined Emerg-e electric sports car (pictured above).